Guwahati: The Assam government is all set to significantly expand its educational outreach in the state’s vital tea garden areas, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing plans to establish 80 new model schools. This initiative builds upon the successful foundation of 118 such schools already operational since November 2022, part of a larger vision to introduce 200 model schools across Assam’s 800 tea estates. The Chief Minister, while interacting with headmasters, underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing the academic landscape and fostering qualitative changes in these regions. Beyond infrastructure, there’s a strong push for encouraging student enrollment from diverse communities to promote better assimilation and harmonious relationships.
The state is also exploring several novel welfare schemes to tackle student dropouts and improve overall well-being. A key consideration is extending the mid-day meal scheme to students of classes 9 and 10, a facility currently available up to class 8. This aims to ensure sustained nutritional support for older students. Furthermore, a “School Breakfast Programme” is on the cards, coupled with mandatory health checkups, reflecting a holistic approach to student health and attendance. To bring education into the digital age, smart boards and smart classrooms are slated for introduction in these model schools. Additionally, to ease the commute for students in remote areas, the government plans to provide bicycles to those from class 6 onwards.
In a move to strengthen the teaching fraternity and ensure quality instruction, the government is considering making one year of compulsory apprentice training in tea garden model schools and Adarsha Vidyalayas mandatory for all B.Ed students. Chief Minister Sarma also reviewed the functioning of the 57 Adarsha Vidyalayas across the state, reiterating their role in nurturing talent, values, and creativity through high-quality education, particularly in remote areas. The comprehensive package of initiatives signals the Assam government’s dedicated efforts towards a more inclusive and robust educational ecosystem for its tea garden communities and beyond.
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